You may occasionally experience unusual symptoms that appear to be beyond what your family practitioner can easily identify and treat. However, if these symptoms entail discomfort or unusual sensations in the muscles, joints, or bones, your best alternative could be to consult an orthopedic doctor. Although your primary care physician may eventually refer you to an orthopedic doctor, there are situations where you could skip this consultation and visit Dr. J. Michael Bennett immediately. Here are the common musculoskeletal signs that an orthopedist’s appointment is worthwhile.
- Knee Pain
Discomfort in the knee typically necessitates a diagnostic test for your doctor to establish the type and extent of the condition. Knee pain could stem from illnesses like arthritis as well as traumas during sports and other physical activities. Once your orthopedist identifies the root cause of your condition, they can suggest appropriate therapy. If left untreated, the knee pain could become chronic and sometimes lead to more serious complications.
- Back Pain
Back pain could be acute or chronic, and it is frequently caused by a problem with one or several vertebral discs. Orthopedic doctors are quite knowledgeable in addressing the patients’ back pain, and they frequently utilize a blend of steroid injections, physical therapy, and bracing. In serious cases, surgery could be appropriate.
- Sciatic Pain
For lower back discomfort that radiates to the buttocks and down the legs, the cause could be a pinched or squeezed sciatic nerve. This condition is commonly known as sciatica and often stems from disc slippage in the spine. Your orthopedist will assess your condition and suggest appropriate spinal alignment solutions.
- Shoulder Pain
Your shoulder’s great range of motion renders it vulnerable to numerous injuries, including rotator cuff tears and tendonitis. Shoulder pain could also affect your ability to use your hands and arms. Based on your specific shoulder injury, an orthopedic specialist might demobilize your arm or shoulder with a brace, and request particular physical therapy exercises.
- Arthritis Pain
Chronic joint discomfort accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility often indicates osteoarthritis. This issue results from the deterioration of the protective cartilage in the joints, often in the ankle, knee, and hip. Your orthopedist will diagnose the root cause of your arthritic pain, be it gout, tendinitis, or osteoarthritis, and suggest appropriate relief remedies, as well as mobility restoration.
- Worsening Soft Tissue Injury
For soft tissue injuries like strains and sprains that fail to resolve in days, your orthopedist may recommend alternative therapies to enhance your body’s healing. These treatments include compression, rest, strengthening, and stretching exercises to slowly prevent further injury.
- Limb Tingling or Numbness
A feeling of tingling or numbness in your hands or feet could cause by arthritis, nerve damage, or carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have diabetes, these sensations could indicate diabetic neuropathy, which requires prompt and ongoing medical attention by your orthopedic doctor.
You do not have to live with pain when an orthopedic doctor can offer lasting relief. Whether your musculoskeletal condition affects the bones, tendons, joints, ligaments, or muscles, your orthopedist can provide an accurate diagnosis and effective care plan. Your orthopedic doctor will use advanced diagnostic procedures, including X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds, to identify the root cause of your condition. Most orthopedic care plans tailor to address the symptoms, as well as correct the underlying issue to prevent future concerns. While conservative solutions are mostly recommended, in some cases, your doctor might resort to orthopedic surgery.